Chapter Fifteen: Amidst The Chaos
814 Words
Just like the passed few days, the cameras were already waiting for her.
Clara saw them the moment the car slowed in front of the Monroe Cultural Foundation building.
“They’re early,” she said quietly.
Ethan followed her gaze. There were three parked vans, a cluster of photographers, and there were two reporters holding microphones.
“They’ve been tracking your schedule,” he said.
She tightened her grip on her bag. “I just have a staff meeting.”
“And you’ll get to it,” he replied. “They won’t stop you.”
The driver opened the door.
Before Clara could step out, Ethan placed a hand lightly on her arm.
“Stay beside me.”
She nodded.
The moment they appeared, voices rose.
“Ms. Monroe!”
“Miss Monroe, one question!”
“Mr. Cole, is the wedding date set?”
The cameras starts to flash right into her face, and Clara felt her chest tighten.
Ethan stepped forward, placing himself half a step in front of her.
“No interviews today,” he said calmly.
“Mr. Cole, is it true you’re funding all Monroe projects now?”
“No comment,” he replied.
“Clara, did you agree to marry him to save your foundation?”
Ethan’s voice sharpened once he heard that stupid question.
“That question is inappropriate.”
But the reporter still pushed forward.
“She’s a public figure now—”
“She’s a person,” Ethan cut in. “And she has said no.”
He raised a hand toward security.
“Clear the path.”
Two guards moved forward.
The reporters protested.
“You can’t block the press!”
“You can’t intimidate us!”
Ethan turned.
“I’m not blocking your work,” he said. “I’m stopping harassment.”
He looked directly at the reporter who had spoken about Clara.
“You don’t get to corner her in her workplace. You don’t get to rewrite her life for a headline.”
The man scoffed. “You think money gives you control over the truth?”
“I think money gives me lawyers,” Ethan replied evenly. “And I’m willing to use them.”
A hush suddenly followed, threatened by Ethan's calm answer. At the same time,
Clara stood frozen behind him...
“Clara has work to do,” Ethan said. “Now move.”
The guards guided them forward.
As they walked, one photographer whispered, “She’s hiding behind him.”
Ethan stopped, and he slowly turned to the reporters once again.
“She’s walking beside me,” he said. “There’s a difference.”
Inside the building, the doors closed.
Clara exhaled shakily.
“I didn’t ask you to do that,” she said.
“I know."
“You don’t have to fight my battles.”
“I’m not fighting them,” he replied. “I’m setting limits.”
Clara looked at him.
“You’re making enemies.”
“I’ve always had them,” he said. “I just chose the reason.”
Clara looked up at Ethan.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For what?"
"For saying all those things to the reporters awhile ago." Clara shyly said.
Ethan met her eyes once again.
“You signed up to be respected.”
Outside, the noise continued, but for the first time, it didn’t reach her...
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Ethan didn’t wait for the next incident.
That afternoon, he sat at the long glass table in his office, his legal team arranged around him. Screens displayed images from outside the foundation—cameras inches from Clara’s face, headlines twisted into speculation.
“This isn’t press,” Ethan said flatly. “It’s harassment.”
His lead counsel, Marcus Hale, nodded. “We can issue formal cease-and-desist notices to any outlet that trespasses or obstructs her movement. We can also pursue restraining measures against repeat offenders.”
“Do it,” Ethan said.
Another lawyer hesitated. “It will cause backlash. They’ll say you’re silencing journalists.”
“I’m not silencing questions,” Ethan replied. “I’m stopping pursuit. There’s a difference.
He leaned forward.
“Any outlet that ignores boundaries loses access. Any photographer who follows her into private spaces gets sued. Any reporter who implies coercion without proof gets a legal response.”
Silence followed.
“You’re serious,” Marcus said.
“I’m absolute,” Ethan replied.
Later that day, a statement was released. Attorney Marcus Hale did a press conference on behalf of Ethan and Clara...
"Mr. Ethan Cole will pursue legal action against any individual or organization that continues to harass Ms. Clara Monroe, interfere with her work, or invade her private spaces. Engagement does not revoke autonomy. Respect is not optional.
The response was immediate."
After that press conference, there was a big change. Later that evening, when Clara left the building, the crowd was smaller...
- Writer
